THE BITTER END

NO! Not named after the club in the Caribbean. It’s the opposite end of the rope from the standing end. The standing end, being the end which is tied off. The bitter end is the loose end. In the days of sail, when sailors had to go aloft, the loose rope ends were whipped about by the wind, would often strike the sailors as they work. A very painful experience. Hence the name “bitter end” of the rope. Our boat a Hunter 35.5 sailboat, is a source of great pleasure! And like the loose rope end, our summer cruising is wild and loose.